But as Myre points out, even that insane stat doesn’t do Phelps justice.
Advertisement
The magnificent Ledecky also stated that she has no regrets over her decision to remain an amateur for the time being.
Many swimming fans were skeptical about how Phelps would perform in Rio.
Legendary swimmer Michael Phelps waved goodbye after increasing his phenomenal Olympic medal haul to 28 on Saturday and this time it seems the all-conquering American will not be back. As we covered when he won his 12th, he had tied Leonidas of Rhodes when he won the 200m butterfly.
That was his 23rd career gold medal and would place the Republic of Phelps in 39th place for most gold medals won by a country, all-time, Summer and Winter Games combined.
In an interview recently, Lochte said, “I guarantee he will be there”, referring to the 2020 games in Tokyo. “Not only is it, for me, it’s been a huge part of my life, but it can also be a lifesaver”.
It was a golden night for Team USA in Rio, and the end of an era for a swimming legend. He dove into the water behind Great Britain and managed to take over the British swimmer to give team America the lead, and ultimately the victory. The U.S.A. men’s swimming team wins another gold medal.
But it was Phelps who stole the show yet again when he sprang from the block to swim the butterfly leg of the 4×100 medley relay, recapturing the lead from Britain and setting up yet another United States victory, after Ryan Murphy had led off by breaking the world backstroke record.
Murphy broke a world record for the event in the backstroke, finishing in 51.85 seconds, according to a statement from Team USA. She took silver in the women’s 50 freestyle and then anchored as the USA women won the 4×100 medley.
The men’s medley relay followed with its own moment of glory, maintaining an all-time flawless Olympic record in the event when the US has participated.
A third-placed finish in the men’s 20km race walk for Dane Bird-Smith saw Australia claim its 500th Olympic medal.
At the end of the London Olympics, Phelps said goodbye. So, unless Phelps decides to come out of retirement again, his final individual race at the Olympics will go down as a silver.
Advertisement
Then the womens eight rowing won gold Saturday morning, followed by long jumper Jeff Henderson winning the gold on his final jump in dramatic fashion.
